China’s Restrictions on Foods from Japan Expanded

Devastated by the March 11, 2011 magnitude 9.0 earthquake followed by a tsunami, crippled the Fukushima plant and brought about radioactive contamination that greatly affected the world especially the neighboring countries in Asia. China broaden its import ban on food and produce from Japan over fears of food poisoning. China urged and demanded that food being imported from other regions be issued certificates from it’s point of origin implying that it’s free of radioactivity.

The restrictions carried on by the quarantine and food safety administration was enforced on Friday, which includes foodstuffs, farm produce and fodder from 12 prefectures in China near the Fukushima plant. Test and precautions was conducted by China’s National Nuclear Emergency Coordination Committee to ensure public health and safety.

Concerns were triggered when minimal amounts of iodine-131 were detected in spinach planted in Beijing, Shandong and Jiangsu. Radiation was also found on lettuce in Jiangsu and Indian lettuce in Guangdong. National Nuclear Emergency Coordination Committee said, current levels of radioactive materials pose no threat to public health or to the environment and no measures need to be taken against contamination from these materials.